The telephone numbers for emergencies
Emergency number for the fire department and ambulance service: 112
Always in the event of fire and medical emergencies, if someone is seriously injured or ill, e.g., in the event of house fires and traffic accidents with personal injury, heart attacks, unconsciousness, or severe bleeding.
Police emergency number: 110
Always when you feel threatened or have been the victim of or witness to a crime, e.g., burglaries, assaults, traffic accidents without personal injury, and domestic disputes.
Emergency number for the hearing impaired: 00000000
Hearing-impaired persons can send an emergency fax to 06131 000000 in all emergencies.
Important notes
Calls to 110 or 112 are always free of charge and can be made from any cell phone or landline without dialing an area code—no coins or phone cards are required. However, if you are using a cell phone to make an emergency call, please note that a SIM card must be inserted in the phone.
It is not a problem if you call the fire department in an emergency, even if it is more of a case for the police. The control center will always transfer you to the right place.
On the other hand, misuse of the emergency number can have expensive consequences. Under civil law, the caller is liable for the costs of the operation and any consequential damage, for example if a building had to be evacuated due to a false emergency call.
Emergency call dialed: What can I say?
Anyone who finds themselves in an emergency situation and calls for help should first and foremost remain calm so that they can explain the situation correctly to the control center.
The following information is particularly important for the emergency services:
- Where is the emergency?
Give the name of the municipality or district, street name, house number, floor, direction of travel on the road, kilometer markers on railway lines or rivers. Ask passers-by to help you locate the location. - What has happened?
Briefly describe the dangerous situation and what you see – for example, a traffic accident, a fire, or an unconscious person. - Who is affected and how many?
State (or estimate) the number of people or animals affected. If children are involved, also give their ages if possible. - What injuries or symptoms?
You don't need to know any medical terms. Just describe what you see: whether the person is breathing, whether they are responsive, or whether there is heavy bleeding or obvious injuries. - Who is calling?
So that the control center knows who they have spoken to, please give your full name. It is also essential that you stay on the line and follow the instructions or questions of the control center staff.